1. (n.) An earnest request or appeal; an answer to a criminal charge\; that which is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal answer to the indictment or information presented against him.

2. (n.) A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. See under Common.

3. (n.) That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification; an excuse; an apology.

4. (n.) An urgent prayer or entreaty.

adjuration alibi answer apology appeal application argument argumentum beseechment bid call case clamor cons consideration counterstatement cry defence defense demurrer denial elenchus entreaty exception excuse explanation extenuation ignoratio elenchi imploration imploring imprecation invocation invocatory plea justification mitigation objection obsecration obtestation out overture palliation petition plaidoyer pleading pleadings prayer pretext pros pros and cons reason rebuttal refutation reply request response right riposte rogation solicitation special demurrer special pleading statement of defense suit supplication talking point vindication